When anyone would ask Adam Graves how his infant sons, Jaxon and Logan, who weighed less than 2 pounds when born 2½ months premature on Jan. 14, were doing, the Rangers’ acting captain answered with the ultimate compliment.

“They’re fighters,” Graves would say.

Yesterday, however, Jaxon Graves lost the fight for his life, and passed away due to complications from the early birth.

Logan Graves, who remains hospitalized, is making encouraging progress, and is doing well.

Adam Graves, who missed three games late last month to be with his family as his sons fought the good fight, did not play in last night’s Garden tie against the Devils and will not play in tonight’s back end of the home-and-home at the Meadowlands. It is not known when the winger will rejoin the team.

Private services for the family, which includes Adam’s wife, Violet, and their daughters, Madison and Montana, are to be held today. It was at the family’s request that the Rangers did not ask Garden fans to observe a moment of silence before last night’s match.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire New York Rangers’ organization are with Adam and his wife, Violet, at this very difficult time,” Ranger GM Neil Smith said in a statement released last night. “They are wonderfully loving parents and our deepest sympathies go out to the Graves’ family.”